For-profit college abruptly closes campuses across the country

Education Corporation of America closed all its campuses nationwide this week after losing funding and accreditation. Photo by Calvste/Shutterstock

Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Dozens of college campuses suddenly closed without notice this week after parent company Education Corporation of America lost its accreditation and funding.

The closings affect 75 campuses across the country, including Brightwood College, Brightwood Career Institute, Ecotech Institute, Golf Academy of America and Virginia College. The ECA announced that "operations would be discontinued in December of 2018."

Information about transferring, getting a transcript and other general questions will be posted to the site around Dec. 17.

Enrollment has been declining for years, forcing the troubled chain to close one-third of its campuses and pursue a financial overhaul in the courts. But creditors wouldn't relent as ECA fell behind on payments.

On Tuesday, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools suspended the college's accreditation, meaning it can no longer operate.

"After many years of training students for new careers, it is with a heavy heart that today we announce that Education Corporation of America is closing all its career colleges effective with the completion of the current module or term for most students," Diane Worthington, a spokeswoman for the company, said in a written statement.